Dear Editor,
Frank Cecil Percival Kippins, born in Georgetown, Guyana on January 23, 1925, departed this life in Atlanta, Georgia on March 7, 2023. Cecil was the son of Irene Kippins and brother of Marjorie Kippins and Sylvia Burnham, who predeceased him. He had a remarkable life.
His love of cricket led him to become a test match umpire of and statistician on West Indies cricket for over 25 years. A legend and authority on the rules of the game, his opinion was sought on many controversial decisions. In the dead of night, some guy who had a wager on what happened in a cricket match would call him to get the correct answer to win his bet.
This happened often. Cecil is out at 98, two runs short of batting a century. As he would say, “Well played.” He will be missed in the cricket world and by his friends.
Cecil spoke fondly with his dear companions Branford Isaacs, Neville Premdas, Ivan Cort, Stanley Odle, Cecil Pilgrim, and Cecil Henry on their love of cricket, soccer, and classical and cathedral music. He was a music lover and simply loved it in all its genres. He would say he had three loves: cricket, music, and his family.
Left to mourn are his wife Joan and his children Ceciley, Gloria, Gordon, Malcolm, Cheryl, June, Marcia, Damon, and Kristine. He was a beloved grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle, and brother-in-law.
His family loved him and will miss that great sense of mischievous humor. We are grateful for your life, the life you shared with us, your guidance, your love, your generous and youthful spirit. Sleep on, good and faithful servant. Rest in the arms of God. Until we meet again on that beautiful shore. Rest in peace and rise again in glory.
Sincerely,
Kristine A. Kippins